Three more arrested in connection with the murder of former corporator

The police have arrested three more men, all in their early 20s, who were allegedly part of the team that planned and executed the murder of former two-time BJP councillor Rekha Kadiresh. The accused — Stephen Jaipal, 21, Ajay Kumar, 21, and Purushotham, 22 — are said to have provided support to the two men who stabbed the councillor to death outside her office in Cottonpet on June 24.

They have been taken into police custody for 14 days. “While Stephen and Ajay were assigned to provide security cover to the attackers, Purushotham tampered with the CCTV cameras outside her office and redirected the lens so that the incident could not be caught on camera. He was also assigned to keep watch and alert the hit team,” said a police officer. All three were in the vicinity when the former councillor was murdered.

However, despite their efforts, the murder was caught on a CCTV camera in the area, based on which the police identified the accused. “Stephen and Ajay were also seen chasing away a person who attempted to come to Rekha Kadiresh’s rescue,” said the officer.

Five people have been arrested so far. On Friday morning, a day after the incident, the police arrested Peter, 46, and Surya, 19, the duo accused of stabbing the councillor. Teams tracked them to a wooded area in Sunkadakatte and shot at their legs when they allegedly attempted to attack the police and flee.

Eye on BBMP polls

According to sources, there were many aspirants for the councillor’s seat in the upcoming Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike elections. The sister of Rekha’s late husband, Mala, was contemplating backing her daughter-in-law. “When she realised that Peter was in favour of Mala’s choice, Rekha started avoiding him and his associates and did not help him financially,” said a police officer. Mala, who is a rowdy-sheeter, her son and daughter-in-law are being questioned by the police.

“This is just one angle of the investigation. Probe is on to ascertain the motive behind the murder,” said the officer, adding that more people were likely involved in the murder. “Special teams are tracking the suspects down.”